| September 7, 2022
Matt Smith might just be the most resourceful racer in the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle category, and he reached deep into his bag of tricks to win his second title at the NHRA U.S. Nationals, the biggest and most prestigious drag race in the world.
Matt Smith topped the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indy.
By Kevin McKenna | Photo by Matt Polito
NHRA rules allow for racers to switch vehicles once per event, and that suited Smith well as he began the Indy event on his new Suzuki and quickly switched back to last season’s championship-winning Denso Buell. That switched proved to be key, as the reigning NHRA champ delivered a dominating performance during eliminations to win his third race of the season and the 35th of his career.
Smith beat Big St. Charles/Skillman Auto Suzuki’s Karen Stoffer in the final round, running a 6.872 at 195.99 mph to seal the victory. Stoffer chopped the throttle early after her bike spun the tire off the starting line.
“We started on the Suzuki and our goal was to finish on a Suzuki,” Smith said “I have a new motor for that bike so now I have two and we made the first run on Friday, and it just wasn’t happy. I had a bad 60-foot time, and I just got frustrated and decided to bring out the V-twin. On Saturday morning we went to number one until Angelle came around us, but I set top speed at 201 mph and had low E.T. of eliminations and the last three qualifying runs. I think I had the bike to beat. Honestly, I didn’t do my job on the starting line; I couldn’t get the clutch out on time, but we found a way to get it done.
“When it’s on, I can run with any Suzuki out there, but we’re still struggling a bit, so I’m going to run the V-twin at the next two races for sure. I told them earlier this year, if they piss me off, I’m going to bring the red rocket [Buell] back out. Now, they had better watch out for me. I’m going to defend this championship. I can tell you that. Tonight, we’re going to celebrate. We’re going to live it up because this is the U.S. Nationals.”
Smith qualified number two with a 6.800 just behind Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Angelle Sampey, and then rolled through four rounds of eliminations on Monday against Scotty Pollacheck, Hector Arana Jr., and two-time Indy champ Jerry Savoie. Smith was also extremely consistent with four runs on Monday between 6.859 and 6.893.
The pressure of NHRA’s biggest event led to several notable upsets as Sampey, her teammate Eddie Krawiec, and incoming championship leader Joey Gladstone each failed to advance to past the opening round. Smith took full advantage of the miscues of his opponents to not only win the race, but also to take over the top spot in the standings, just in time for the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s five-race playoff.
Stoffer didn’t win the race, but she certainly benefited from reaching the final round. Stoffer won the season-opening race in Gainesville with a record-setting performance that included the two quickest runs in the history of the Pro Stock Motorcycle class, but she’s struggled since then with just one final round to her credit.
Stoffer ended a string of three-consecutive round-one losses in Denver, Sonoma, and Topeka with a solid run at Indy that included wins against Gladstone, Ron Tornow, and two-time Indy winner Steve Johnson.
The championship playoffs will begin with the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, September 15-18.
2022 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Indianapolis Results
PRO STOCK FINAL
- Matt Smith (Suz)
- Karen Stoffer (Suz)
For more information, visit NHRA.com
